Dragging them Kicking and Screaming into the 21st Century!
It's a quote heard by many of my friends, students and associates. We need to use the tools (modern technology) available to do what we do best, best (even if I have to drag them kicking and screaming)! It's about thinking out loud during The Emergence of The Relationship Economy!

Black Hawk's dispatch center is believed to be the first in the nation capable of communicating with 911 "callers" via standard text-messaging, a big breakthrough as the country's emergency responders race to keep up with the rapid evolution of human communication.

In the understatement of the year, Barbara Vos, the state's 911 program manager, said:

"A lot of people want to text 911 - we know that"

I just wonder why this wasn't considered early on . . . must not have involved a government bureaucrat -- they know everything about business!

Monday, June 01, 2009

. . . so imagine the local government has reached the end of their economic rope and can no longer find adequate funding for the police department.

Dispatcher: "911 emergency, what's your emergency?"Caller: "Someone stole my television."Dispatcher: "No problem, ma'am, we'll have someone stop by between 8-12 this morning, or would 1-5 this afternoon be better?"Caller: "8-12 is good, what will this cost me?"Dispatcher: "That depends, ma'am. If all we do is take a report for your insurance company, we can do that for a flat rate of $50. If you want us to investigate the crime then it would cost you the initial $50 plus $50 an hour. We usually put about 6 hours into an investigation."Caller: "Oh, I thought my tax dollars took care of that. What happens if I choose the flat rate and then you identify the person who stole my television while investigating another crime?"Dispatcher: "Your tax dollars haven't covered the law enforcement we provide for almost 10 years, ma'am. If we identify the thief while conducting another investigation, you would be responsible for a cost-sharing with the other victim from the point where we identify your property. We would, of course, call you to notify you should that occur. We can do split billing, for an additional $25 each, or you can agree on the amount and get one bill."Caller: "Oh, well thank you."Dispatcher: "Did you want us to send someone out?"Caller: "Uh, no. The television only cost $400 and was over 5 years old anyway, and I've been eying a new flat screen."Dispatcher: "OK, well tell the store clerk that your television was stolen -- many stores will give you a 10% discount if you file a report."Caller: "But I'm not."Dispatcher: "Your loss, ma'am."Caller: OK, thanks."

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About Me

I prefer to be called Carter, though I have grown accustomed to answering to most any variation that remains respectful.I learned from the UPS manual that a leader does not need to remind others of authority by use of title. Knowledge, performance, and capacity should be adequate evidence of position and leadership.